Irish native Harry James Canty died in his sleep July 19 at the
age of 95, while being cared for at a friend’s home in the Russian
River area.
Canty came to the United States in 1930. While studying at UC
Berkeley, he owned and ran a restaurant. He graduated in 1939, and
in 1940 received his teaching credential in business, typing and
accounting.
He taught briefly at Marin Junior College and then enlisted in
the infantry during World War II. He served as a first
lieutenant.
After his discharge, he worked for the East Bay Municipal
Utility District. That was followed by a job at Lockheed in
Sunnyvale as a systems analyst, which he held until he was 65 and
forced to retire. Canty wrote letters to elected officials and
became part of the effort that successfully repealed the mandatory
retirement law.
Canty was preceeded in death by his second wife Margaret Gaughen
and is survived by his son Barry of Half Moon Bay, his daughter,
Brooke Lea Ford of Seattle, and two grandchildren.
The family will hold a picnic to celebrate his life, at 11 a.m.
Aug. 23 at Armstrong Woods in Guerneville.
Friends who would like to attend should contact Barry Canty at
(650) 726-5334.
Memorial contributions may be made to Armstrong Woods State
Reserve or to organizations helping veterans of the Iraq war.